April 29 - Good Shepherd Sunday

Greetings everyone!

 

This message is coming out a day late. This has been a very strange week for me. We had the Provincial Election on Monday (and Alberta stayed Conservative, but not too not “wild.” I guess 40 years of the same thing is not enough.) Be that as it may, on Tuesday I was sick (I don’t really think it had anything to do with the elections results, it felt more like a flu.) On Wednesday I was feeling better and Margery and I drove down to Calgary to move Sarah, our eldest, out of Residence and into a rented place. I did not know that so much stuff could come out of one room! This is Administrators’ Week, so yesterday Norma and I went out to lunch. Now it’s Friday!

 

This Sunday is “Good Shepherd Sunday.” I will be away, the Service will be led by Anne Dingwell assisted by Edina Tillotson. Both Anne and Edina are Licensed Lay Worship Leaders. Anne was licensed by the United Church some time ago, and Edina completed her training and was licensed in January. Included in the Service is a tribute to choirs and music leaders called “God’s Music!”

 

The readings are 1 John 3: 16-24, and John 10: 11-18, and you will be singing Psalm 23 (The Shepherd Psalm).

 

Anne has titled the sermon: "How Far Would You Go for Others?"

 

Come join Anne and Edina for worship and inspiration. I am back in the office on Tuesday. (actually Monday night at the Board Meeting)

 

Blessings,

 

Larry Wright

As well, please note the Important Dates and the Youth Events below. If you have any questions about any of the events, please contact the church.

 

Important Dates

•  Saturday, May 5 – Hampton Community Craft Sale and Spirit West “New to You” Sale at the Church. Volunteers are needed to staff the “Chili Stand” snack counter.
• Saturday, May 5, 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 6, 9:00 & 10:30 am, Riverbend United Church – An Abandoned Place-A Cantata presented by Riverbend United Church Youth. There is no charge for this, but free-will offerings will be welcomed.
• Sunday, May 6 at 10:30 - Communion
• Friday, May 11 – Sunday, May 13 – Spirit West Spring Plant Sale Come and pick up your beautiful hanging baskets and spring plants. This event is a fundraiser for Sprit West.
•  Saturday, June 2 - "4 Churches" Inter-Faith walk - talk to Bonnie Lowen or Anne Dingwell for pledge shhets and for more information

Youth

•  An Abandoned Place-A Cantata (see above) – the Youth of Edmonton Presbytery are encouraged to attend the performance on Saturday night, May 5.
•  Future Quest Program for Youth 14-17, Aug 4-18, 2012 at Queen's School of Religion, Kingston ON.  For more information see the Pamphlet on the Info Table or http://www.queensu.ca/theology/leadership/futurequest/summer.html

 

 

 

Sunday, April 22, 2012 - Renewal Sunday and Earth Day

Happy Earth Day


This Sunday a couple of important things are happening. At Spirit West we are having a Renewal Sunday. We have invited all those who have been baptized here at Spirit along with their families to come on Sunday as we reflect on our Baptismal call to be the people of God in this world. After church there will be a luncheon for everyone where we will celebrate in particular those who have baptised here. (If you or your child(ren) were baptised here, and you did not get an invitation in the mail, please join us) This Sunday is also Earth Day, a day when we are called upon to reflect on the condition of the planet upon which we have been placed by God. So we need to think about what it means to be the people of God in the world and what is our relationship with the world, the planet where we are God’s people. The readings for this Sunday again point us to encounters with the risen Christ.

The readings are 1 John 3: 1-7, and Luke 24: 36-46.

I have titled the sermon: "Anything to Eat?"

I look forward to seeing you,

I also have a new email address at the church. If there is something regarding the church you want to contact me about you can email spiritwest.minister@telus.net

You can still contact the church at spiritw@telus.net and our website (with events calendar) is www.spiritwest.org

Larry Wright

As well, please note the Important Dates, Alberta Election and the Youth Event below. If you have any questions about any of the events, please contact the church.

Important Dates

• Sunday, April 29, 10:30 – Larry will be away this Sunday (He’s bell ringing at Robertson-Wesley). The Service will be led by Anne Dingwell.
• Saturday, May 5 – Hampton Community Craft Sale and Spirit West “New to You” Sale at the Church. Volunteers are needed to staff the “Chili Stand” snack counter.
• Friday, May 11 – Sunday, May 13 – Spirit West Spring Plant Sale Come and pick up your beautiful hanging baskets and spring plants. This event is a fundraiser for Sprit West.

Alberta Provincial Election
On election day, Monday, April 23, Spirit West United Church will be the site of Polling Stations 068 - 072.

Youth

Future Quest Program for Youth 14-17, Aug 4-18, 2012 at Queen's School of Religion, Kingston ON

For more information see the Pamphlet on the Info Table or http://www.queensu.ca/theology/leadership/futurequest/summer.html

April 15th, 2012 - Second Sunday after Easter with Adult Baptism and Confirmation

Easter Greetings

 

We are now in the Season of Easter. It was really great to see so many out on Easter Sunday. The "Sassy Sisters" decorating team really did a great job ot capturing the joy of Easter in the decorations. As we move into this season we will start by looking at stories of encounters with the risen Christ. This Sunday's encounter involves Thomas (you know - Doubting Thomas). What does Thomas' encounter with Christ tell us about doubt and faith. We also plan to welcome a "new" member into our congregation through profession of faith and baptism as an adult.

The readings are 1 John 1:1 - 2:5, Psalm 133, and John 20: 19-31.

 

I have titled the sermon: "I Doubt It!"

 

I look forward to seeing you,

 

Larry Wright

As well, please note the Important Dates, Alberta Election and the Youth Event below:

Important Dates

• Saturday, 21 April, 8:00 am - Men's Breakfast - Held in the lower Hall, the Breakfast is open to any man who wants to come. We usually collect $5 to cover supplies.
• Sunday, April 22, 10:30 - Earth Day and Baptismal Renewal Sunday - Come out to this special Service where we will be celebrating Renewal. Families who have had a Baptism at Spirit West are especially invited to attend. The Service will be followed by a luncheon where we will celebrate those who have been baptised in our church.

Alberta Provincial Election

• Elections Alberta will be using our Church as a Polling Centre for the upcoming provincial election. Advance polls will be held at the Church from Thursday, April 19 to Saturday, April 21.
• On election day, Monday, April 23, Spirit West United Church will be the site of Polling Stations 068 - 072.

Youth

• Future Quest Program for Youth 14-17, Aug 4-18, 2012 at Queen's School of Religion, Kingston ON.  For more information see the Pamphlet on the Info Table or http://www.queensu.ca/theology/leadership/futurequest/summer.html

 

 

 

April 5 - Services for Easter weekend

Blessings,

 

This message is coming out a day early because of the BIG weekend coming up. In fact the events start tomorrow night with the Seder (Pot-Luck) Supper: So here's what's ahead.

Maundy Thursday (Tomorrow), 5 April, 5:30 pm (a change in time) - A Seder for Christians Experience the special Passover Meal that became Communion for the Church. Our Spirit West Seder will be a Pot-luck Supper set in the midst of the Passover remembrance. This is an experience for the whole family (bring children). Come join us. In order to set tables for the right number we need to know how many are coming. If you want to come but haven't signed the sheet or called the church already please call 780-481-1406 or email the chuch. spiritw@telus.net right away!

Good Friday, 6 April, 10:30 am - The Way of the Cross. With Prayer, Readings and Music contemplate the journey to Calvary as you view scenes of Christ's Passion as it has been depicted by artists through the centuries.

Easter Sunday, 8 April, 10:30 - The Celebration of the Resurrection. Come join the joyful celebration of the central story of our Christian faith. If you wish to add to the beauty of the Church for this special time by lending us plants or floral arrangements, please bring them, if you can, to the Church on Good Friday. You can also bring them Easter Sunday morning.

 

I look forward to seeing you,

 

Larry Wright

 

As well, please note the two events for Youth below.

Important Dates

• Tuesdays of Lent, 7:00 pm- The Gospel of Mark - Tuesday 10 April.
• Thursday, April 12 - High Tea at the church - 2:00 pm - tickets $15.00 - call 780-481-1406
• Monday, April 16 - "The WORD in prison" by Sue Cavanagh who is "Taking the Church to the Women's Prison in Edmonton" and also "Taking the Prison to Church!” . April 16^th, 7:00 pm, Spirit West UC.  Sponsored by Women's Group

 

Youth Events

• Easter Vigil for Youth (Edmonton Presbytery) - Robertson-Wesley United Church, 10209 - 123 St..   Meet at the Robertson-Wesley on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 7:00pm, the event concludes with a 7:00am Sunrise Service and Breakfast on Easter Sunday, April 8. Youth are invited to come for the whole vigil or may join for an hour on the Saturday at 11:00pm.  Youth wishing to stay for the whole vigil are asked to bring sleeping items.  RSVP by April 4 to Karen at 780-975-4368.
• Future Quest Program for Youth 14-17, Aug 4-18, 2012 at Queen's School of Religion, Kingston ON - For more information see the Pamphlet on the Info Table or http://www.queensu.ca/theology/leadership/futurequest/summer.html